Note-sheet-guiding device for player pianos and the like



E. F. ORR

NOTE SHEET GUIDING DEVICE FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE' Filed Nov. 26, 1923 Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

UNITE STATES EDWIN F. ORR, 0F NDR-TH RICHMOND, MELBOURNE, VICTOR-IA, AUSTRALIA.

NOTE-SHEET-G-UIDING DEVICE FOR Pill-EYE? PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed November 2-6, 1923.

Z 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I. EDWIN Fannnmon ORR, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of the postal district of North Richmond, a suburb of the city of Melbourne, in the county of Bourke, State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Elite-Sheet Guiding Devices for Player Pianos am. the like, of which, the following is a spocilicae tion.

A serious defect which at present applies to player pianos and like instruments is the tendency of the perforated note sheet to foul the flanges of the music roll or spool in rewinding. The result is that the note sheets are frequently torn at the edges owing to their engagement with the spool flanges, consequently damaging the note sheets and causing difficulty and inconvenience in the rewinding operation.

In certain makes of player pianos means are provided to guide the sheet whilst it is being unwound for playing. Such guiding means usually comprises a pair of pivoted guiding arms or fingers which press lightly against the opposite side edges of the note sheet and are adapted to control a pneumatic roll shifting mechanism whereby any tendency of the record sheet to move sidewurdly out of its proper track causes the music roll or spool to be a-ut-oi'natically moved sidewardly in the opposite direction so that the record sheet is thus maintained in its proper central tracking position.

In the rewinding operation however the above device has a distinctly detrimental effect owing to the fact that the roll or spool is moved in the opposite sideward direction to that in which the sheet tends to move. Thus the danger of the spool flange fouling the adjacent edge of the sheet which is tend: ing to move sidewardly out of the proper tracking alignment is emphasized instead of diminished and the edge of the sheet is forced further sidewardly against the adjacent flange, causing the sheet to become crumpled and torn. Furthermore as the rewinding operation is usually effected at a comparatively fast speed, it is more liable to cause damage to the record sheet than the unwinding or playing operation.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages referred to by the provision of means to automatically Serial No. 677,031.

more the music roll or spool in the same axial or sidevrard direction as that in which the record sheettends to move during the rewinding thereof. By such means the flanges of the spool are kept clear of the edges of the note sheet during the rewinding operations and damage to the sheet by fouling said flanges as aforesaid is effectively prevented.

Various constructional forms of mechanism may be employed in carrying out the invention: For instance, either pneumatic or purely mechanical or electrical contrivances may be designed to effect the desired result, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

As an example of a suitable constructional embodiment, the desired movement may be effected through the medium of the existing pneumatic roll guiding device above 1'61. rred to by means of certain alterations and additions to such device as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings which form part of this specification Figure 1 is a semidiagrannnatic front view showing a practical embodiment of the invention applied to a note sheet guiding de ice of a well known type. The known parts of the mechanism are indicated in dotted lines whilst the new parts introduced by the invention are illustrated in full lines.

Figure 2 is an elevation on a larger scale of a reversing element or valve which is adapted for insertion in certain pneumatic tubes of existing apparatus as indicated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the ported discs of the valve seen in Figure 2.

Figure t is a perspective view of the other ported disc.

Figure 5 is plan of Figure 2 the partsv being shown in the position occupied during the playing operation.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the parts in the relative positions occupied during the rewinding operation.

In the existing roll guiding or tracking device referred to, the aforesaid pivoted guiding arms 2 engage the side edges 8 of the note sheet and are adapted to control the admission of air into a pair of pneu' matic tubes 6 leading to a valve box or vacuum chamber 7 which in turn connected by two corresponding pneumatic tubes 8 move the roll 13 sidewardlv against the ini sidcward dithe note sheet illuence ot a spring ll. and i n. rection opposite to that which may tend to talze durin the traclv'er har. is tracirinp rectljv the bellows 9 re in equilihrium an'l the music roll is its proper centre position: hut should the sheet diverge to either side t eic roll will he :ui'toimitically moved sidewardly in the opposite direction so that the sheet is thereby n'iaintained in its proper tracking position during playing.

in a similar known tracking device, the pneumatic tuhes (3 are connected to pairs oi supplemental ducts arranp'cd in line with the note d lets ol. the ler her so that whilst the note sheet is ll't 7 ring correctly, ezpially to the two supp air is achnittee mental ducts of each panand the hollows nut should the he in";

9 remains in equilibrium; sheet diverge to either s 7 dining playing; one of said supplemental d1 etc will he wholly or partially covered hy the no: sheet and the bellows 9 is thus operated to move the music roll in. the opposite sidcwaril direction as aforesaid.

The invention may he readily aplied to a guiding or traclrii r device o? the above nature hy inse 'i' a rotary or ot 4 the pneu i oc sections 6 4 ing the invoted guidi :rroresaid supplemental d t "1e hellov-cs which causes the roll to he moved s dcwardly as in'eviously mentioned.

This rcversi reniently consist rotatable ported discs 16 hcing pr fltit l v "1'; which pass straightthrougrh ale disc an coincide ith nipples 19 19 which a re prev crahl v connected in the pneun'iatic tuh s (3 indicated in Figures 1 and 2. said heing' divided for the purpose. 'lli connect llll' disc 1'? is provided with a pair ot straight-throiu h ports El. 21 coinciding withv nipples $32 which are also connected to the tuhes 6 shown.

The disc is also provided in its working thee with an additional port which .4") is pern'ianently connected hy a passage 24-. n the disc with the port the eoil as shown in Figure 3.

During the playing; OllGl'illlOllS. the ports 18, 18 of disc 1'3 coincide respectively with the ports 21, 21 of the other disc as in Figure 3 forming a direct. pa sage through the opposite nipples 19 and 22 of one tube and 19 and 22 of the other tube 6 so that the aforesaid tacking device operates in the usual manner to move the music roll in the oppoite sidcward direction to that which the note sheet may tend to take in diverging from its true course. it will he evident however that by turning one of the discs in relation to the other, the port '18 of disc in will he moved into alignment; with the port 21 ot the other discs. Whilst port 18 will he hroug'ht to coincide with port 21 through the port 233 and passage 21. The conditions oi (mcration ot the hollows :l are thus reversed during the rewinding operation so that in the event ot the note sheet diverging to one side d nj'ing such operation. the music roll 13 will he moved in the same sidcward direction as that in which the sheet tends to move instead of in the opposite direction as at present occurs in note sheet guiding devices ot the hind referred to. The result is that the edges 01 the note sheet are automatically kept clear oi the spool flanges 13" during rewinding.

The working faces of the discs 16 and 17 may he pressed close against each other by means of a spring: 26 encircling a pin or screw 27 which passes through a central hole in each of the discs 16-17. The pressure oi the spring" 26 may he adjusted by means of nuts on the screw 27.

One oi. the said discs is preterahly cut away at 31 to form limit stop Faces -32 adapted to he engaged hy a pin or projection 53-) on the other disc to limit the rotary move inent ol the latter disc. which movement may he conveniently ctt'ceted hy suitahle comiections such as a lever 34 and connect iug rod ll; extending hetwecu the pin or proiectitm 3 on disc 16 and the usual lo winding); hand lever 37. Thus by movement ol the latter lever in the usual manner to rewind the roll. the normal or playing conditions of communication through the tulies 8 and operation oi the hollows 9 are re versed owing}; to the ope ation of the reverselei'nent or valve constituted. hy the ported discs 16, 17.

The invention may he thus readily applied to existing instruments in the manner mentioned. or hy various other arranger!ieuts wherehy the music roll or spool shifted sidewardly with instead of against the note sheet during rewindinfl.

It will he understood that such sidcward movement of the music roll or spool is only slight; but any excessive sidcward pressure or" the note sheet causes the latter and the spool to be automatically moved hack together in the opposite direction and thus maintained in proper central position with the edges of the sheet clear of the spool flanges. It will. mo eover he evident from the foregoing description that various arrangements of mechanism may be employed Inn Ill)

in carrying out the invention, which latter resides primarily in the provision of means to automatically move the music roll or spool sidcwardly in accordance with and in the same direction as the sideward movement or pressure of the note sheet, to thereby prevent the edges of the sheett'rom tonling the spool flanges during the rewinding operations.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- 1. In a play-er piano or the like, the combination with a inusic'roll mounting adapt cd to permit axial movement of said roll; of means whereby the music roll is automatically moved axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during rewinding of the sheet.

2. In a player piano or the like, the combination with means for automatically moving the music roll axially in the opposite direction to that which the note sheet may tend to take during the playing operation; of means whereby said roll. is moved axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the re winding operation.

3. In a player piano, or the like, the combination with a flanged music roll mounted to move in an axial direction, of means controlled by the travel of the note sheet to automatically move said roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take in diverging from its proper longitudinal course during the rewinding operation.

a. In a player piano or the like, the combination of a flanged music roll mounted to move axially; and pneumatic means controlled by the travel of the note sheet to automatically move said roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet "ray tend to take during the rewinding opei' tion.

5. In a player piano or the like, a pneuu'iatic device controlled by the travel of the note sheet to automatically move the music roll axially in the opposite direction to that which the note sheet may tend to take during the playing operation; and means for reversing the action of said pneumatic device, whereby it moves said roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding oper ation.

6. In a player piano or the like. the combination with a flanged music roll mounted to move axially, and a bellows adapted to impart such axial movement to the roll; of means associated with said bellows whereby the latter moves the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

In a player piano or the like, the cone bination with a bellows adapted to more the music roll axially in the opposite direction to that which the note sheet may tend to take in diverging from its proper tracking course during the playing operation; of means for reversing the action of the said bellows, whereby it causes the roll to move axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation,

8. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a note sheet guiding device comprising pneumatic tubes the opening of which is controlled by the travel of the note sheet and means associated with said tubes to automatically move the music roll axially in the opposite direction to that which the note sheet may tend to take during the playing operation; of means interposed in said tubes whereby said roll is moved axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewindinn operation.

9. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a bellows operatiyely connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to be moved back axially in the opposite direction; of a revers mg device associated with said ubes and bellows, whereby the latter moves the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation. 1

10. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a bellows operatively conncctcd by pneumatic tubes with the note shoot. whereby any sidcwnrd movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to be moved back axially in the opposite direction; oi a reversing valve interposed in said tubes between the note sheet ant said bellows, whereby the latter moves the music roll axially in the same direction as that which thenote sheet may tend to take during the rewinding' operation. 11. In a player piano or the li :e, the combination with a flanged music roll mounted to move axially, and a bellows operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet. whereby any siocward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to be moved back axially in the opposite direction; of a reversing element interposed in said tubes and operatively connected. with the rewinding; mechanism of the instrument, whereby said bellows moves the music roll bodily axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

12. In a player piano or the like, the com- &

bination with a bellows operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to move back axially in the oppo site direction; of a reversing valve interposed in said tubes and operatively connected with the manually operated rewinding lever of the instrument, whereby said bellows moves the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

13. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a note sheet guiding device comprising means operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation tends to move the music roll back axially in the opposite direction; of a manually operated reversing Valve interposed in said tubes, whereby said guiding device may be actuated to automatically move the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

14. In a player piano or the like, the com bination with a note sheet guiding device comprising means operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation tends to move the music roll back axially in the opposite direction; of a rotary valve interposed in said tubes, and means operatively connect ing said valve with the hand actuated re winding lever of the instrument, whereby said guiding device may be actuated to automatically move the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

15. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a bellows operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to move back axially in the opposite direction; of a rotary valve interposed in said tubes, said valve comprising a pair of oppositely disposed ported discs arranged face to face and adapted for manual operation, whereby said. bellows may be actuated to automatically move the music roll axially in the same direction as that which. the note sheet may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

16. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a bellows operatively connected by pnemnatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to moveback axially in the opposite direction; of a reversing valve connected with said tubes, said valve eon'iprising a pair of oppositely disposed discs arranged face to face and adapted for relative rotary motion, each said disc having a pair of ports and nipples which coincide during the playing operation, one of said discs having also an additional port communicating with one of the first named ports of the respective disc; and means for manually operating said valve, whereby said bellows may be actuated to move the music roll axially in the same direction as that which the note sheet: may tend to take during the rewinding operation.

17. In a player piano or the like, the combination with a bellows operatively connected by pneumatic tubes with the note sheet, whereby any sideward movement of the latter during the playing operation causes the music roll to move back axially in the opposite direction; of a reversing valve connected with said tubes, said valve comprising a pair of oppositely disposed discs arranged face to face and adapted for relative rotary motion, each of said discs having a pair of ports and nipples adapted to coincide during the playing operation, one of said. discs having also an additional port connnunicating with one of the first named ports of the respective disc; spring means for holding the working faces of said discs in close contact with each other; and an operative con nection extending between one of said discs and the rewinding lever of the instrun'ient.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWIN F. ORR. lVitness:

VICTOR l. I{ELSON. 

